Larry Bowa

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT LARRY BOWA - PAGE 2

.491 The Boston Red Sox' record-setting slugging percentage this season. The previous record of .489 was set by the 1927 New York Yankees. THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Now that they've been eliminated from the playoffs, what should be the Phillies' top priority going into next year? 1. Revamp the bullpen. 2. Fire manager Larry Bowa. 3. Spend some money for better starting pitchers. 4. Get more hitters in the lineup. To reply to the question, visit our Web site at www.mcall.com/sports.

Jim Thome revealed quite a bit about himself during his formal introduction as the richest Phillie ever late Tuesday afternoon at the club's new ballpark preview center. The humble giant broke down when asked about moving his wife Andrea, who is expecting their first child (a girl) on Christmas Eve to a new town after a 12-year career with Cleveland. "My wife is my rock," Thome said, before sobbing and retreating for several minutes of privacy. "That blew me away," Andrea said.

SECOND'S NOT BAD Larry Bowa's .519 winning percentage, entering Sunday's game, was the second highest among the seven former Phillies players who have managed the team for at least 3000 regular-season games. The only one ahead of Bowa in Pat Moran, who had a .556 percentage from 1915-18. K KING Johan Santana won his fourth straight decision and reached double digits in strikeouts with 10 for the eight time in his last 10 starts, increasing his AL-leading total to 183. ON THIS DATE In 2002, San Francisco's Barry Bonds hit his 600th homer, becoming the fourth major leaguer to reach the mark.